Espanyol clash marked as comeback date for young Barcelona midfielder – report | OneFootball

According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have circled the Catalan derby against Espanyol on May 15th as a possible return date for young midfielder Marc Casado, who has been sidelined since mid-March due to a knee injury.

The 21-year-old suffered a partial tear in his right knee during the match against Atletico Madrid on March 14.

At the time, medical staff predicted an absence of roughly two months, and it now appears that Casado is on track to meet that timeline precisely.

His surprise appearance in group training yesterday has boosted optimism within the club that he could make a limited return in the derby.

Barcelona remain cautious

As things stand, Barcelona are treading cautiously. While the Espanyol fixture is currently the targeted return date, it remains to be seen whether Hansi Flick decides to accelerate Casado’s comeback depending on his physical progression.

Marc Casado has resumed training. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

That said, it has already been confirmed that he will not feature in the upcoming matches against Real Valladolid or against Inter Milan in midweek.

By the time he returns, Casado will have missed 13 official matches, potentially extending to 14 if he is not fit for the Clasico against Real Madrid on May 11th.

Nonetheless, his return before the end of the season would be a welcome reinforcement for Flick, especially in a position where depth is crucial for squad rotation and match control.

Matches Casado can play

Should his recovery continue as expected, Casado could participate in Barcelona’s final three La Liga matches—against Espanyol, Villarreal, and Athletic Club.

More excitingly, if the Blaugrana secure their spot in the UEFA Champions League final, scheduled for May 31, the young pivot could find himself in contention for a place on the grandest stage in European club football.

Casado’s return could also provide Flick with an additional tactical option. His ability to operate as a pivot makes him a valuable asset, particularly as Barcelona seek to balance youth development with competitive results in a season of transition.